Girardi: Yankees won’t necessarily carry a 2nd lefty in pen

The Yankees roster is all but set and barring injuries there really is only a fight for spot, the 25th spot on the roster. That spot will come down to either an extra outfielder or another reliever.

Since the Yankees only have one left, Boone Logan, and Chris Dickerson was recently taken off the 40-man roster indications are that they are leaning, at least early on, in carrying another lefty. However, manager Joe Girardi told George King of the NY Post that will not necessarily be the case.

“I don’t think it’s a necessity because our righties get lefties out,” Girardi said of the need for another lefty to pair with the inconsistent Boone Logan. “If our righties at the back end of the game had a hard time getting lefties out, I would say you need a second lefty. It’s a nice thing to have but you don’t necessarily need it.”

Rapada has probably been the most consistent and impressive this spring, showing off good breaking stuff. Cabral has looked good at times, but has been a little slower getting going. The other two haven’t looked nearly as good, but have barely pitched. Unfortunately for them that is not a good sign as for the fringe guys the number of innings is usually an indication of how the team values them.

So that means it’s going to come down to Rapada and Cabral. Personally I feel like if the Yankees carry a second lefty than Cabral might have the inside track, especially if Rapada is willing to stick with the organization and go down to Triple-A.

The reason is because Cabral is a Rule 5 pick and if he doesn’t make the team than he goes back to Boston. So not only would the Yankees lose an option, their rivals would be picking one up.

As with everything in spring training, injuries could have a major impact on this. Freddy Garcia is day-to-day right now after getting hit by a ball on his pitching hand. Eduardo Nunez has also missed time after getting hit by a pitch while batting. Both of those players’ health will surely play a role in how the bottom of the Yankees roster shapes up.